UFC vs New York: An explanation of the UFC’s argument for MMA legalization

Earlier this month the UFC, looking to get the sport of MMA legalized in the state of New York took the step of filing a lawsuit against the state. The UFC in the past had tried to go the legislative route in getting a bill passed that would have made the sport legal. The promotion has not given up hope that legislation will eventually work, as the lawsuit will surely take some time to work its way through the court system.

Jamie Levitt, counsel for the UFC in the lawsuit recently appeared on Inside MMA and broke the suit down in plain language as to why the law should be overturned based on the First Amendment. “What we’re saying here is that there is a message that professional fighters send to their fans when they get in the Octagon, when they get in the ring. It can be a different message for different people, it can be courage or self-discipline or overcoming obstacles, like Matt Hamill with his hearing disabilities or inspiring fans like Brian Stann does to get over post traumatic stress disorder and to know they can be the best they can be.”